Thread: A business for the Mrs

Originally Posted by melvbot

know of any pitfalls/problems?

Having to deal with Thais is normally top of the list.

I have a buddy of mine who's wife is making about 40 to 60,000 baht a month selling stockings and weight loss suits to people.

They help with circulation, weight loss and a person's shape. Kind of like a modern day girdle. This farang wears a tank top and shorts made of the stuff to work out in and also the socks.

I think it costs 20,000 baht to do it, but the Thais are buying all of her stock up. The things are made in Japan.

I think it is multi level marketing, but has a good rep in Thailand.

She bought some brochure from a company home the other day, think it was herbal something or other. I spotted what it was straight away, a pyramid scheme. I guess people are still falling for it here.
Is that a similar thing Chitown?

Any info on the Jap thing would be good as well if you have it.

Originally Posted by melvbot

She bought some brochure from a company home the other day, think it was herbal something or other. I spotted what it was straight away, a pyramid scheme. I guess people are still falling for it here.
Is that a similar thing Chitown?

Any info on the Jap thing would be good as well if you have it.

I usually see the guy at the gym everyday, but he has yet to be there this week.

It must make them enough to live on, because it is all they do.

When I see him I will ask.

Originally Posted by melvbot

Has anyone had any experience in this area or know of any pitfalls/problems?

one of my very good mates has a girlfriend with a laundry business.

biggest pitfall is that he gets roped into several hours of ironing daily.

The best thing I ever done (or as I originally thought ) was to start something that my wife could get her teeth into. Keeps her accupied, earns a bit of money for herself and most impotantly keeps her of my back

Only problem I am experiencing at the moment is that the business is growing too big now and she must get a maid to help her out around the house. We have 4 live in kids (plus me) and she is really struggling with the house work. When I bring up this suggestion she takes it personally and won't speak to me for a couple of hours.

I am also finding out more and more of my time is being spent and with regard to the everyday running of the business and this is the last thing that I need.

Fcuked if you do and fcuked if you dont regarding getting the missus working.

Keep it as small as you possibly can mate and don't get personally involved if at all possible!

Good luck

That was the sort of figure that I was going by 30,000 at best. 1 worker say 4-6000, running costs etc prob clear 15k a month. Nothing massive just something to start her off, money in her pocket and not out of mine

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

biggest pitfall is that he gets roped into several hours of ironing daily.

She must be some girl .

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Keep it as small as you possibly can mate and don't get personally involved if at all possible!

Thats the idea, keep it small, gives her a bit of pride/bragging rights, my own business etc and its something she can take the little one along to.

My misses spent 7 years studying massage in BKK. Chinese, Thai, Oil, Foot etc. etc.

She's now set up a school / massage shop here. She got vallidation from the hospital, inspections and so on, accreditation from the community health officer and, slowly but surely it's taking off....

I was really perturbed by the whole concept originally. But now, I'm totally happy with it. She's got 3-4 girls learning, she's making a bit of money and she's happy as.

Happier than she was when she was dependent on me. I think it's great.

Originally Posted by melvbot

The wifes getting a bit settled after having our last baby, hes just over a year old. I dont want her to get too comfy and start getting too lazy so I made a suggestion to start a little business for her. Nothings set in concrete but I suggested a small laundry business where shes the boss and employs one poss two women to help out. She thinks its a good idea as we have friend who spends roughly 1,000 baht a month at one of them. There are a few round town but Ive never been afraid of competition so it might be viable.
Has anyone had any experience in this area or know of any pitfalls/problems?

most small businesses in thailand are doomed to failure, simply because the thais do not do their homework and know nothing about doing business. normally i would have dived in and told you not to waste your time investing in another white elephant/scam/whatever:
i don't know where you stay, and your circumstances may be different, but here is a true story from my small village in isaan.
there was this hot little number who ran a small beauty salon and hairdresser 'living not far from me. two kids and absent husband, obviously battling. eventually her "salon" went the way of most village "businesses". and she was out on the street.
she started taking on washing, worked fkkin hard, washing by hand, and started to do well. bought a washing machine, hired a helper, carried on.
i do not think she is making a fortune, but there are a couple of washing machines there now, and she is going flat out! "husband" came back, and she has him washing clothes, too!
it may not be a big money-spinner, but it has a chance. hope the soap doesn't give you dermatitis.............

Originally Posted by buriramboy

Originally Posted by melvbot

know of any pitfalls/problems?

Having to deal with Thais is normally top of the list.

truer words were never spoken

a persistent source of problems

Originally Posted by tsicar

most small businesses in thailand are doomed to failure,

And then

Originally Posted by tsicar

i do not think she is making a fortune, but there are a couple of washing machines there now, and she is going flat out! "husband" came back, and she has him washing clothes, too! it may not be a big money-spinner, but it has a chance. hope the soap doesn't give you dermatitis.............

Total Contradiction.

Originally Posted by melvbot

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Keep it as small as you possibly can mate and don't get personally involved if at all possible!

Thats the idea, keep it small, gives her a bit of pride/bragging rights, my own business etc and its something she can take the little one along to.

You have hit the nail on the head Melly.

They love the kudos that come with owning and running their own business. Worth more to the girls than the relatively small money she will make.

Its definately a Thai woman thing and again good luck mate.

Laundry business I am not quite sure though

With the way the economy is going at the moment services such as outside laundry contracting may be considered impratical due to the ever shrinking family budget. Better to keep it in house will be the common decision soon.

Families are going to have to start to count their pennies soon if not already

Where we live is big enough to support it I think. Its not some dustbowl village in the middle of nowhere, we've got a Big C and a Tesco now

Hear Hear ^ Well said Melv and LT. It's their business. They run it and it's got fck all to do with me.

Happy as.

^^ we're way out bush but it's working

We're / she are actually getting a bit desperate.

Too many customers, not enough staff.

Originally Posted by melvbot

Where we live is big enough to support it I think. Its not some dustbowl village in the middle of nowhere, we've got a Big C and a Tesco now

Don't know where you live but if its close to us I would be happy to use your wife's laundry service but be aware. These type of service industries, being either big or small will suffer over the coming years. Just a bad time to start something at the moment.

Then again if it keeps her happy and she at least breaks even then just do it

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

With the way the economy is going at the moment services such as outside laundry contracting may be considered impratical due to the ever shrinking family budget. Better to keep it in house will be the common decision soon.

Families are going to have to start to count their pennies soon if not already

True, but like I said nothings set in stone. If thats the case then it wouldnt be worth starting any sort of business at the minute, you have to take the good and bad whatever you do.

A friend of my wife has a small laundry that seems to do quite well, her biggest problem it seems is letting customers run up too big a tab that they can't pay

Jeeze LT you sure are a negative old grump today

Originally Posted by Carnwadrick

A friend of my wife has a small laundry that seems to do quite well, her biggest problem it seems is letting customers run up too big a tab that they can't pay

Thats always a problem. I know because it used to be us running up the tab. I go out, forget to leave her the money a couple of times, next thing you know its about 3k, oops....